As Owen Sound Poets Laureate Rob Rolfe and Larry Jensen approach the end of their two-year tenure, they are polishing their final performance which will take place at Heartwood Hall in Owen Sound on September 14. The centrepiece of the show will beMétissage: From Nawash to Mudtown, a thrilling combination of poetry, spoken word, indigenous hand drumming and music, written and performed by the Métissage Collective which, along with the laureates, includes poet Richard-Yves Sitoski, heritage enthusiast and singer Mary Little and First Nations historian and drummer Susan Schank. As a special bonus this production will also feature guest appearances by popular local musicians Will Henry and Frank Francalanza.
Throughout their term, Rolfe and Jensen have focused on telling previously-untold stories of this community, stories of First Nations, Métis, Black and working class people and families that often do not appear in our history books. Métissage continues this look at the "other" Owen Sound. The name Métissage suggests diversity and inclusivity and so Métissage is a storytelling exploration of various strands of local history, reminiscent of the multi-coloured, interwoven threads in a traditional Métis sash.
One of the mandates of the poet laureate is to develop a legacy project, something that will make a unique and lasting contribution to the community. This public performance is part of Rolfe and Jensen's legacy project. The other elements include an already-released CD, Mudtown Songs and Poetry, and a short film about Métissage which had its first screening at Summerfolk.
The selection of Rolfe and Jensen as Owen Sound Poets Laureate broke new ground: it was the first time two people were jointly appointed and the first time a singer/songwriter held the position. "Combining poetry and music is nothing new. In fact, the earliest forms of poetry were probably sung," said former laureate Liz Zetlin who is also head of the poet laureate selection committee. "We were thrilled with how Rob and Larry collaborated and created new ways of sharing their work together."
The position expanded its boundaries and so, too, did the laureates. Rolfe, who has many publications to his credit, continued to explore the themes that have always interested him but he began to experiment with different styles of writing, including verse and song lyrics. "I was expecting the official nature of the position to play a bigger role," said Rolfe, "but in fact we got to do what we wanted and that gave Larry and I the chance to develop the collaboration with each other," he said. Rolfe says he also gained confidence as a performer, particularly since the duo was booked at so many different kinds of venues and events.
Jensen, already a seasoned performer, said it was the right thing at the right time. "It took me in a new direction and permanently changed my direction," he said. He was used to often playing noisy bars where his music was in the background. Being poet laureate introduced him to a whole different kind of gig, where people listened in rapt attention to what he had to say. "I'm going to keep looking for the good rooms," he said. "I think I'm changed."
When they retire as poets laureate at the end of September, Rolfe and Jensen will continue to work together but they will pursue their individual careers as well. The Ginger Press is publishing a book of Rolfe's poetry called Hart Rouge which will be released in October. Jensen is booked for a solo concert at the Bleeding Carrot on October 19 and is working on an autobiography, These Streets I Know.
The Poet Laureate 2015 to 2017 is a program of the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library with support from the Owen Sound Little Theatre and community sponsors.
The September 14, 2017 event starts at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:00. Tickets are available in advance at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library for $13 or at Heartwood Hall for $13 (plus $2 service charge). Tickets at the door are $15.